Table-lock.



W. H. NGRTHALL. TABLE LOCK. APPLICATION FILED ocT. 3. 19I4.

1,185,527. Patented Mayso, 1916;y

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l INVENTORl AWITNIissIs JZWMQ "....TQRNEY W. H. NORTHALL.

TABLE LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3, 1914.

l Patented May 3011916.

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VI/ITN ESSES ATTO R N EY TME coLUMalA PLANNER/IPH co.. WASHINGTON, D.c.V

UNITE@ STATES PATENT FFICE- WILLIAM I-I. NORTHALL, OF EVANSVILLE,INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 FRED W. GOEDEKE, OFXEVANSVILLE,INDIANA. i

TABLE-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1916.

Application led October 3, 1914. Serial No. 864,924.

To ZZ lwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. NORTH- ALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing' at Evansville, in the county of Vanderburg and Stateof Indiana, have invented al new and useful Table-Lock, of which thefollowing is a specification. 1

rlhis invention has reference to locks for extension tables, and itsobject is to provide a lock which may be applied to extension tableswhether supplied with wooden or metal slides, whereby the table may belocked in the fully extended position with all the leaves in, or may belocked in the partially extended position with some of the leaves in, orin the fully closed position with all the leaves out.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a lockstructure readily attachable to an extension table at a. point midway ofthe width thereof, and so ar ranged that it will adapt itself todifferent numbers and widths of table leaves and to some variations inthe widths of the leaves, whereby the table will always lock in thedesired position with the parts held rmly together against separation.

The invention will be best understood from a. consideration Vof thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with thefurther understanding that while the drawings show a practical form `ofthe invention, the latter is not confined to any strict conformity withthe showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so long assuch changes and modifications mark nomaterial departure from thesalient features of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the pedestal portion ofan eXten- 1 sion table of the pedestal type with the invention appliedand the table top shown in the closed position in dotted lines, teningdevices securing the table top to the pedestal members and a portion ofthe lock to the table top being shownin cross-section. Fig. 2 is avertical section of' an extension table of the pedestal type along theline of the applied lock but showing the latter in elevation. Fig. 3 isa plan View of the lock on a larger scale than the showing of Fig. 1.Fig. 4L is a longitudinal central vertical Section of the lock shown inFig. 3. Fig. 5

the fasy is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4e, but drawn on a largerscale. Fig. 6 is a sectionV on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the'dra-wings there is shown a table comprising top members1, 2, provided with slides 3 in turn supported .by cross strips 4carried by a pedestal 5 and united at their outer ends by intermediateconnecting strips 6. These features are all present in certain forms ofpedestal tables, and especially those with round or circular tops wherethe top members may be drawn away one from the other by a force appliedto either, the slides 3 being of an interacting character to bring sucha result about. The present invention, however, is not limited to suchparticular type of extension table, but is applicable to other types ofextension tables, whether supported upon a central pedestal or upon asuitable number of legs. The loclr comprises two elongated bars 7 8, thebar 8 being somewhat shorter than the bar 7.and attached to the latterin longitudr nally slidable relation thereto by headed studs 9 on thebar 8 projecting through slots 10 in the bar 7, the two bars beingslightly spaced apart by washers 11 on the studs 9 and located betweenthe two bars. The studs 9 have heads 12 overriding the bar 7 along theedges of each slot 10. These slots are angle slots and have a portion 13parallel with and adjacent to one edge of the bar 7 and another portion14; lextending from one end of what may be termed the straight portion13 at an angle thereto toward the other side of the bar 7. While thebars 7 and 8 may be of any appropriate shape they are preferably fiatand relatively narrow. One slot 10 is located near one end of the bar 7and the other slot 10 is located nearer the middle of the bar thantoward the other end thereof. Pivotally mounted on the bar 7 near thevend remote from the first-named slot 10 is a rock head 15 carried by apivot 16 in turn carried by the bar 7. This rock head 15 has an odsethandle portion 17 spaced away from the bar 7 on the same side thereof asthe bar 8 and in they main parallel with the bar 7. Pivotally connectedto the head 15 to one side of the pivot 16 is one end of a link 18 theother' end being connected to the corresponding end of the :bar 8 lby apivot 19. The head 15 is formed on v.opposite sides with outstandingprojections 20, 21 in the path of which is a stud 2 2 Vprojecting fromVthe corresponding face of the bar 7. TvVhen the head 15 is rocked by asuitable manipulation of the handle 17 it has a range of movementcorresponding to the distance` movement of the bar 8 its path ofmovement is parallel with the longitudinal center line of the bar 7 dueto the portions 13 of the slots 10 which are themselves parallel withsuch center line. There is also provided a plate 23 designed to be madefast to any suitable portion of the slide supporting part of the table,and in the drawings this plate 23 is shown as secured to one of theconnecting strips 6. Along one edge of the plate 23 there is formed anupstanding flange 24 with two passages 25, 26 therethrough. rlhe passage25 is traversed by the bars 7 and 8 and is long enough in the directionof the length of the flange 24 to permit movements of the two barssimultaneously through the slot when the bar 8 is in the position ofgreatest sidewise projection with relation to the bar 7.

Fast to the plate 23 near that end thereof corresponding to the positionof the passage 26 is a stud 27 on which is pivoted one end of a pawl 28provided with an extension 29 at the end thereof remote from the pivotstud 27, this extension 29 being of suliicient length to project throughthe passage 26. At one side of the pawl 28 there is formed an engagingnose 30 and along the correspending edge of the bar 8 are a suitablenumber of series of notches forming teeth 31 between them. The teeth 31are arranged in a suitable number of longitudinally disposed groupsspaced apart so that the centers of the groups are separated by aboutthe width of average table leaves, while the length of each group issuiiicient to include variation in the widths of table leaves within thelimits usually employed. The stud 27 carries an intermediate coil of aspring 32 having two branches 33, 34. The branch 33 of the spring is ofsutlicient length to extend through the passage 26 and engage one endthereof, while the branch 34 bears against the rear edge of the nose 30,which latter upstands from the pawl 28 sufficiently to be engaged by thebranch 34 ot the spring, and also to engage the teeth 31 along thecorresponding edge of the bar 8. The teeth 31 and pawl nose 30 are allinclined in one direction, so that the bar 8 may be moved lengthwise inone direction without being arrested in such movement by the engagementof the nose 30 with any one of the teeth.

31, for the teeth then ride idly under the nose 30 of the pawl, thelatter yielding to such movement. The spring 32, however, tendsconstantly to hold the nose 30 in the path of the teeth and when theattempt is made to move the bar 8 in the opposite direction to that justconsidered the nose 30 locks behind some one of the teeth 31, and soeffectively prevents any movement ot' the bar 8 in thereverse directionto that iirst considered. rlhe pawl 28, however, will move only acertain definite distance toward the bar 8 under the action of thespring 32 before the extension 29 arrests further movement in suchdirection by engagement with f the corresponding end of the passage 26,but the pawl may rock in the contrary direction against the normaltendency of the branch 34 of the spring 32, since the passage 26 is ofsufficient length for the purpose. 1When the studs 9 are in thelongitudinal portions of the slots 10 the pawl 30 is in the path of theteeth 31, but when the studs 9 are in the inclined portions 14 of theslots 10 toward the closed ends of these inclined portions, then thepawl nose 30 is no longer in the path of the teeth 31, since itsmovement theretoward is arrested by the extension 29 and the pawl 28becomes inactive to the bars 7 and 8.

That end of the bar 7 carrying the head 15 is prolonged beyond saidheadl and terminates in an angle abutment 35. Between the head 15 andtheangle abutment 35 the bar 7 bears against one tace of a plate 36 havingat one end an angle flange 37 and at the other end an oppositelydirected angle ilange 38.Y Extending longitudinally of the plate 36orthe greater portion of its length and into the i'lange 37 is a slot 39midway between the sides of the plate. Threaded through the flange 38midway of its length is an adjusting screw 40 bearing at the inner endagainst a headed follower 41 entering one end of a helical spring 42,while the zii other end of this spring bearsY against the abutment 35 atthe corresponding end of the bar 7, this abutment carrying a pin 43entering the corresponding end of the spring 42.

The plate 36 adjacent to the end pro-vided with the flange 38 carries astud 44 projecting through a longitudinally extended slot 45 in thecorresponding portion of the bar 7, and the stud 44 is headed, as shownat 46, against the other face of the bar 7 from that engaging the plate36, so that the bar may have longitudinal movement with. respect to theplate for a distance limited by the length of the slot. rlhe plate 36 ismounted on a block 47 which is suitably channeled as shown at 48 for thereception of the spring 42, and this block has side wings 49 for screwsor other fastening devices 50 securing the block 47 to the under side ofthe section 1 of the table top. The block 47 Serves as av spacing memberpermitting the bars 7 and 8 tov move on the plate 23 made fast to thestrip 6, so that the plates 23 and 36 are close to and on opposite sidesof the bars 7 and 8. The opening 25 is only long enough where traversedby the bar 7 to permit this bar to move freely therethrough without anymaterial side movement, and the passage 25 has a side extension 25a atthe end toward the passage 26 to admit of the movement of the toothededge of the bar S therethrough when this bar is laterally displaced withrespect to the bar 7.

When the handle 17 is moved to one side of the longitudinal center lineof the bar 7 so that the extension 2O is brought into en-v gagement withthe pin or stud 22, the bar 8 is moved along the bar 7 to van extentcausing the studs 9 to enter and move along the inclined extensions 14of the slots 10, and then the toothed edge of the bar 8 is caused toapproach the corresponding edge of the bar 7 until nearly or quitecoincident therewith and at any rate well out of the path of the nose 30of the pawl 28. Under these circumstances there isno impediment to themovement of the table top sections 1 and 2 toward and from each other toany desired extent, either for the extension of the table or theretraction thereof. Let it be assumed that the. table top is`to beextended and leaves are to be placed therein. This is permitted by themovement of the lock handle 17 to the position just described, so thatthe pawl 2S.- is inactive to the teeth 31. The table leaves are insertedand the table top sections are pushed together until the spaces betweenthe leaves are reduced. Now the handle 17 is moved toward a position ofalinement with the bar 7, thus causing the studs 9 to travel in theinclined portions 14 of the slots10, and this brings about alateral andforward movement of the bar 8 so that some one ofthe teeth 37 engagesthe nose 30. This occurs about the time that the studs 9 have reachedthe longitudinal portions 13 of the slots 10 and the handle 17' isapproaching, although not quite yet in the 'central position. Theremaining movement of the handle to the central position causes amovement of the bar S lengthwise of the bar 7 tending to take up allspaces which may have existed between the table leaves, while acontinued swing of the handle 17 to the opposite side of the bar 7 untilthe abutment or extension 21 has reached the pin 22 tends to clamp theleaves tightly in place and in this position the link 18 is thrownbeyond the center line of the bar 8 slightly to theV other side thereofvfrom that first assumed, whereby no force tending to pull the bar 8backwardly will swing the handle 17 in the reverse direction, but allforces then exerted upon the bar 8 tend to lock the hea-d 15 irmly inthe last-named position. Y

to the'fully locked position. A continued movement of the handle 17toward the fully locked position Vresults in a longitudinal movement ofthe bar 7, since the bar 8 is then locked against movement with respectto the pedestal ofthe table by the engagement of the pawl nose 30 with atooth of the bar 8.l The bar 7, however, is fast to one of the table topsections by way of the plate 36, wherefore the table top sections areVdrawn together taking up all separation of the table top sections andof the leaves which may at'the time be present, andthis continues untilthe table top sections and theleaves are brought into firm engagement.Under some circumstances this firm binding enga-gement may beaccomplished only by practically the Afull movement of the handle 17 tothe fullylocked position with the projection 21 in engagement withthestud or pin 22. Under other circumstances the c table top sectionsand the leaves or the table v top sections without the leaves come intofull engagement before the handle 17 has reached the fully lockedposition. Under these circumstances the plate 36 is stopped in itsmovement, but the bar 7 may still move a limited distance lengthwise ofthe plate 36 because of the yielding of the spring 42, and, therefore,the movement of the handle 17 may be continued to the fully lookedposition, being there firmly 'held by the out-of-line position of thelink 18 on thatl side of the longitudinal center line of the bar 7 andpivot 16 occupied by the stop pin or stud 22.

The structure constitutes a firm lock holding the parts of the tabletogether against accidental separation, while the lock will notspontaneously move out of locking position but must be manipulatedpurposely. rlhe locking structure is adaptable to different types ofextension tables irrespective of the character of the slides, whetherwood or metal, or of the means whereby the table top sections may bemade to move simultaneously in opposite directions. Moreover, the lockhas an ample range of adjustment to accommodate tables of differentsizes and widths of leaves.

What is claimed is 1. A lock structure for extension tables, vcomprisingtwo connected elongated members movable along and also laterally onewith respect to the other, means in the pathv gli;

nected members to another member of the extension table, and means forimparting combined longitudinal .and lateralV movements to one of thetwo members, at will.

2. A lock structure for extension tables, comprising two connectedelongated members movable along and laterally one with respect to theother, means in the path of one of the members when in laterallyprojected relation to the other for locking it to a member of theextension table, means for securing the other one of the two connectedmembers to another member of the extension table and including anelastic connection yieldable to further movement of the said other oneof the two connected members afterr the table sections have been broughtinto unyielding engagement, and means for imparting combinedlongitudinal and lateral movements to one of the two connected members,at will.

3. A table lock for extension tables comprising two elongated bars withone. connected to the other for relative movement with respect theretoboth longitudinally and laterally thereof, an operating member forimparting a movement to one bar rwith relation to the other, saidfirst-named bar having a series of teeth produced on the edge thereof, apawl member for engaging the teeth, a support for the pawl member formounting the latter upon a relatively liXed part of the table, andanother member connected to the second-named bar for securing it to oneof the table top sections.

4:. A table lock for extension tables, comprising two elongated ba'rswith one connected to the other for relative movement with respectthereto both longitudinally and laterally thereof, an operating memberfor imparting a movement to one barwith relation to the other, saidfirst-named bar having a series of teeth produced on the edge thereof, apawl member for engaging the teeth, a support for the pawl member formounting the latter upon a relatively fixed part of the table, andanother member connected to the second-named bar for securing it to oneof the table top sections, said last-named member and the secondnamedbar having elastically yieldable connections for transmittinglongitudinal movement of the second-named bar with respect to thelast-named member.

V 5. A lock for extension tables comprising an elongated flat bar withslots therein each having a portion of its length parallel with thelongitudinal center line of the bar and the remaining portion extendingacross the bar at an obtuse angle to the first-named portion of theslot, another elongated fiat bar having guiding connections extendingthrough the slots, a supporting plate with an upturned edge providedwith a passage for the joined bars and through which the joined bars arelongitudinally movable, a pawl mounted on the plate and provided with anose in operative relation to one edge of the second-named bar, saidedge having teeth thereon and the plateand pawl having coacting stopmeans for limiting movement of the pawl toward the toothed edge of thesecond-named bar, a handle member pivotally connected to the first-namedbar, a link connecting the handle member to the second-named bar to oneside of the pivot of said handle member, stop means on the handle memberand rst-named bar for limiting the movement of the handle member aboutthe pivot, and means for connecting thc first-named bar to one of thetable top sections. Y

6. A lock for extension tables comprising an elongated flat bar withslots therein each having a portion of its length parallel with thelongitudinal center line 4of the bar and the remaining portion extendingacross the bar at an obtuse angle to the first-named portion of theslot, another elongated flat bar having guiding connections extendingthrough the slots, a supporting plate with an upturned edge providedwith a passage for the joined bars and through which the joined bars arelongitudinally movable, a pawl mounted on the plate and provided with anose in operative relation to one edge of the second-named bar,said-edge having teeth thereon and the plate and pawl having coactingstop means for limiting movement of the pawl toward the toothed edge ofthe second-named bar, a handle member pivotally connected to thefirst-named bar, a link connecting the handle member to the second-namedbar to one side of the pivot of said handle member, stop means on thehandle memberand rst named bar for limiting the movement of the handlemember about the pivot, and means for connecting the first-named bar toone of the table top sections, said last-named means comprising a platewith a slidable connection between the plate and iirst-named bar, and aspring interposed between the plate and firstnamed bar for yieldingVmovement of the bar lengthwise thereof with respect to the plate. Y

7. A lock for extension tables, comprising an elongated flat bar withangle slots therein, another elongated angle bar having one edgeprovided with teeth and also provided with engaging connectionsV withthe first-namedlbar traversing the slots therein and guided thereby, arockable head provided with a handle and pivotally connected to thefirst-named bar with the head and bar having co-acting stop meansl forlimiting the extent of rocking of the head, a link connection betweenthe second-named bar and the rockable head to one side of the pivot ofthe latter, a plate adapted .to be connected to a iXed portion of thetable, said plate having an angle edge with adjacent passagestherethrough, the two joined bars traversing one passage, a pawlpivotally mounted on the plate and provided with a spring urging thepawl toward the toothed edge of the second bar and having a portionextending through the secondnamed passage in the plate to limit movementof the pawl under the action of the spring toward the toothed edge ofthe secondnamed bar, another plate connected to the first-named bar andadapted in turn to be connected to one of the table top sections, thesecond-named plate and the first-named bar being connected for limitedrelative longitudinal movement of the plate and bar, and a springinterposed between the plate and bar and tending to maintain the bar atone limit of its movement with respect to the plate.

8. A lock for extension tables, comprising an elongated flat bar withangle slots therein, another elongated angle bar. having one edgeprovided with teeth and also provided with engaging connections with thefirst-named bar traversing the slots therein and guided thereby, arockable head provided with a handle and pivotally 'connected to thelirst-named bar with the head and bar having co-acting stop means forlimiting the extent of rocking of the head, a link connection betweenthe second-named bar and the rockable head to one side of the pivot ofthe latter, a plate adapted to be connected to a liXed portion of thetable, said plateY having an angle edge with adjacent passagestherethrough, the two joined bars traversing one passage, a pawlpivotally mounted on the plate and provided with a spring urging thepawl toward the toothed edge of the second bar and having a portionextending through the secondnamed passage in the plate to limit movementof the pawl under the action of the spring toward the toothed edge ofthe second-named bar, another plate connected to the irst-named bar andadapted in turn to be connected to one of the table top sections,

carried thereby for varying the tension of the spring. v

9. A lock for extension tables, comprising two elongated membersrelatively movable one on the other, an elastically yieldable means forconnecting one member with one section of the table top, one-way latchmeans for connecting the other member to a liXed portion of the table,and means for imparting relative movements Vof the two memberslengthwise and laterally of each other for the engagement anddisengagement of the latch means.

10. A lock for extension tables, comprising two members, one mounted onand at all times connected to the other member, means carried by theconnected members for moving one of the two members with relation to theother, latch means for connecting one member to a portion of the eX-tension table, and elastically yieldable means for connecting the othermember to another portion of the extension table, whereby the lock willelastically yield to further relative movement of said members after thetable sections are brought into lunyielding engagement. p

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as myown, I have hereto aiiiXedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM I-I. NORTHALL.

Witnesses:

PHELPs F. DARBY, KATHERINE HARGRAVE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

lan up-turned ilange and an adjusting screw

